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What is Sustainability and How is it Measured?

İF
İzzet Furkan Yılmaz
December 20, 20242 min read
What is Sustainability and How is it Measured?

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability means meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept was defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission in 1987.

Three Core Dimensions of Sustainability

1. Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability encompasses the conservation of natural resources and prevention of pollution. This dimension includes:

  • Reducing carbon emissions
  • Efficient use of water resources
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Waste management and recycling

2. Social Sustainability

The social dimension covers topics such as respect for human rights, employee rights, community health and safety:

  • Fair working conditions
  • Community engagement
  • Human rights
  • Diversity and inclusion

3. Economic Sustainability

Economic sustainability aims to ensure long-term financial sustainability:

  • Responsible investment
  • Supply chain management
  • Innovation and R&D
  • Risk management

How is Sustainability Measured?

ESG Metrics

Environmental, Social, and Governance metrics are the key indicators used to measure sustainability performance.

Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere as a result of an organization's activities. This measurement is usually expressed as CO2 equivalent (CO2e).

GRI Standards

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards are the most widely used framework for sustainability reporting worldwide.

Conclusion

Sustainability has become an indispensable part of modern business. At Step4, we stand by businesses on their sustainability journey, providing measurable and effective solutions.

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What is Sustainability and How is it Measured? | STEP4